Parent Up

2014

Our highest calling is to love Jesus well and our highest ministry should be in our own homes. Raising up our children in the ways of the Lord is one of the biggest jobs a Christian has. It is vital that we teach our little ones about Jesus and give them opportunities to see Him move, for they are as much a part of the Bride of Christ as we are. In saying this, I would like to pose to you the challenge of parenting up.

We often hear the expression, “Marry up”. This means to marry someone better than you, someone who makes you look good, a person who challenges you to be better, or an all around better person than you feel you are. Did you “Marry up”?

What if we took this same expression and changed it to fit parenting? “Parent up!” To parent up could mean to be a better parent than your parents were. Challenge yourself to be a better parent every day and be the parent you always wish you had. Become the parent God wants you to be instead of what the world thinks you should be. Are you ”Parenting up”?

I want to challenge you to change your thinking when it comes to being a parent to your children. The world throws so much information at us of how we should parent. What if we stopped being the parents we think we should be and become the parents God has called us to be? What if we stopped the excuses most parents use and parent up? Stop blaming how you were raised, your past, lack of time, or skills. With God's help, you can change old parenting habits and become the parent He wants you to be.

The world says for us to give our children anything they want just to make them happy and be good. Then, when we don’t give them what they want, they throw a fit or get mad. The world tells us to be your child’s friend and that there is no need to discipline them. The Bible says:

“Whoever spares the rod spoils the child, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”

(Proverbs 13:24)

The world tells us to teach our children to dress older than they are, listen to secular music, watch bad movies, to teach them it’s funny to say ugly words, and say God's name in vain.

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he gets old he will not depart from it.”

(Proverbs 22:6)

We need to train our children in the ways of the Lord, to be holy and pleasing to Him. Are you setting a good example for your children to follow? Are you training them in the ways of the Lord or the ways of the world?

The Bible gives us a lot of information about parenting. Loving others is a big one that pops into my mind.

“A new commandment I give you, that you should love one another just as I have loved you...”

(John 13:34 )

When you teach your child to love others and put others first, your child won’t want to bully or hurt people's feelings and the fights with their siblings will diminish. The world says that its normal to hate, but the Bible says to love and treat others as you want to be treated.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

(Luke 6:13)

When your child loses at his/her sports game, they won’t get angry but they will be happy for the other team and try harder the next time. Anger brings on wrath.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

(Proverbs 15:1)

If we don’t teach our children to love others, how will they be able to love and fear God? If we don’t discipline our children, and teach them to obey the first time, how will they know how to obey God when He speaks to them?

As parents, lets teach our children to have good habits when it comes to taking care of themselves. We teach them to brush their teeth, wash their hands, and go to the potty. We drill it into their heads a million times until they can finally remember to do it on their own. Even then, we still ask things like, ”Did you brush your teeth?” Parents have all that normal life stuff down, but why is it so hard for Christian parents to drill Godly habits into our children. Read your bible, pray, love others, treat others the way you want to be treated, etc... What are we so afraid of? The world tells us that our children will be weird, outcasts, not able to be a part of the real world, and all around Jesus freak.

God has called His children to be set apart for Him. Are we worried about what the world thinks of our children, our parenting skills, or what God thinks and says? A common phrase society says is, ”You can have your cake and eat it too,” meaning you can act how you want and still be a Christian going to heaven. I teach my children that if you have to ask if it’s ok to do something, then it’s probably not. Why take a chance of living an unholy lifestyle? Why be that type of example for your child?

God is raising up a generation of parents that are tired of living by the world's standards and choosing to ”parent up” to God's standards.

Will you be one of those parents? Will you choose to change your parenting style? Will you teach your children to fear the Lord instead of fearing you? Will you ”Parent up”?

“And you father (and mothers) do not make your children angry: but give them the training and teaching and fear of The Lord.”

(Ephesians 6:4)